Spacing mechanism for punching machines



June 28 1927.

L. H. vo| o ET L I SPACING MECHANISM FOR PUNCH ING' MACHINES FiledJune 2, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 WITNESSES June 9 L. H. VOLD ET AL 5mm MECHANISM FOR PUNCBING MACHINES Filed June 2, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet I mwmmm'r Patented June 28, 1927.

warren STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LAB-S H. VOLD AND KARL R. HAMMEBSTROM, OF BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA.

SPACING MECHANISM. FOR PUNGHING MACHINES.

Application filed June 2,

This invention relates to feed mechanism for metal working machines, and more espezially to a combined automatic and manually operated feed mechanism for advancing the work in the path of the machine where it to be acted upon.

It is among the objects of this invention to provide a feed mechanism which shall be adapted to function automatically during the normal operation of which it is associated to feed the work or carrier on which it is supported in the path f the mechanism such as the dies of punch presses for acting upon the work, and which in addition thereto shall be provided with means for manually operating the feeding mechanism to adjust the work to its initial position and to take up the slack in the feed mechanism prior to the subsequent automatic 5. operation of the machine,

Another object of this invention is to provide a feed mechanism of the above designated character which shall embodysimple, efiicient, and positive means for rotating the feed shaftautomatically or manually to advance the work in the path of the machine nd to positively secure the feed shaft or carrier in the position to which it is advanced.

Another object of this invention is to provide a feed mechanism which shall be adapted for automatic or manual operation, and in which the mechanism for effecting the automatic or manual operation shall be independently operative and in which a positive feed stop or retaining means shall be operative by either of the feeding mechanisms.

In accordance with the present invention a feed mechanism comprising a ratchet device and mounted or associated with a feed shaft operatively connected to a work carrier is provided with a plurality of pawls adapted to interact with the teeth of a ratchet wheel. one of said pawls being associated with the drive mechanism of a machine tool to adapt it to automatically feed the ratchet wheel. during the operation of the machine. Another pawl is mounted through mechanical linkage to a hand lever by means of which it is actuated to act upon the ratchet wheel to operate the feeding mechanism, and third pawl is adapted to engage the ratchet wheel to lock it in its advanced position by means of a fluid pressure actuating device the machine with are journalled for 1926. Serial No. 113,152.

which is independently operated by the moving parts of the machine or manually actuated feeding elements.

This invention is particularly applicable to the feeding of sheet metal or punch presses, and particularly automatic punch pr sscs in which the work is fed in the direction of the die and in which the feeding of the material is coordinated with the punching action of the die members. This ype of machine is necessary to adjust the work with respect to the position of the dies to secure a proper alignment of the material with respect to the position of the die members and to take up all the slack or lost motion in the feed mechanism so as to secure an accurate spacing of the cuttings of the die in the initial strokes of the punching bar. It is therefore desirable to provide a feeding mechanism which may be manually operated to secure the initial adjustment and proper location of the sheet metal as described and to subsequently continue the feeding of the work automatically by con necting the feed mechanism with the. drive member of the punch press.

In the accompanying drawings constit'titmg a part hereof and in which like reference characters designate like parts, Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a fragmentary portion of a punch press having a feed mechanism associated therewith embodying the principles of this invention; Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along'the lines HIL Fig. 1, of a slotted link illustrated in the lower left hand corner of the machine shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a view partially in section and partially in elevation, of a fluid pressure control mechanism; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the movable elements of the mechanism shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a view partially in elevation and partially in cross section ot a punch press and carrier. the latter being adapted to support and feed the sheet metal or work in the direction of the punch dies as will be hereinafter eX- plained; and Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along the line VI-VLFig. 1.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing the structure therein illustrated comprises a punch press 1 having a rear frame portion in which a crank shaft .3 and a feed shaft 4 rotation. the shaft 4 beingprovided with a gear wheel 5, Fig. 5. the teeth of which engage of mesh with the.

teeth of a rack 6 designated the carrier for supporting; and feeding sheet metal 7 which fastened by clamp S mounted on the carrier 6 in the path of a plurality of punches 9 cooperating with die blocks 10. A lever arm 11 Fig. 1, is loosely mounted on the hub 12 ot a ratchet wheel 1.3 that is secured to rotate with the feed shait't &, and a bell crank 11 is similarly mounted on the ratchet wheel 13 or on the shaft 1.

A pawl 15 is pivoted at 16 on the swing frame 11, and is adapted to rest against a stop 17 provided thereon. The pawl 15 is connected by a link 13 to a floating lever 19 having a slotted link 20 pivoted thereon and having a connected rod 21 extending to the front of the punch press 1, and which pivoted at 22 to a hand lever 23 provided with a stub 21 movable between the limits of the end portions of a segment bracket 25.

The link 20 is associated with the swing frame 11 in the manner shown in Fig. 2 by a bolt 26 extending through the slotted portion 27. A plurality ot washers 28 h avinga coil spring 29 disposed around the bolt 26 and between the washers are secured in spaced relation by a nut 3( to provide a yielding brake to yicldingly restrain the movement of the swing frame 11.

The bell crank 1 1 is provided with a pawl 31 pivoted at 32 and adapted to engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel 13, and the other end of the bell crank is connected to a link 33 pivoted at 3 1 to the bell crank 14:.

As shown in Figs. 1 and (3, a rocker frame 33 is provided with trunnions l1 and the latter being secured to the frame 38 by a key 43 and rocks with it. The frame 38 is further provided with T-slots at land s5 of arcuate shape in which blocks 46 are slidingly mounted. Links 41' are connected o blocks 16 at one end and slide bar 13 at the other end. A finger 4-9 is locked to the trunnion 4-2 by pin 19 to follow the motion ot the frame 33 and a finger 50 is loosely pivoted on the trunnion 4:2. The link 33 is pivoted at to the blocks 16.

As shown in Fig. 1, the slide bar 48 opcrates in a guide 51 of the frame 2 and 2:- tends therethrongl'i. The end of the bar 18 is provided with a plate 52 that is movable between a pair of jaws 53 one of which is shown. The jaws are positively movable by a floating lever 54 com'iectcd to the frame 38 and their movement effect a corresponding movement of the plate 52 and its attached slide bar 18 which in turn adjusts the position of the blocks 46 to vary the throw of the link 33 and its cooperating ratchet pawl 31 in accordance w th the movement of the rocker frame 38. V

Thefinger 50, Figs. 1, 4 and 6 constitutes one arm of a crank lever the end of which is pivoted at 56 to link 57 which is pivoted at 53 to lever pivoted to the frame 2 at 30 A link 61 is pivoted at its respective ends to the lever at (:30 and to the split bearing portion of the swing frame 11 at Reterring to Figs. 1, 3 and 1-, the li ti and 50 aremovablc between the projections (i l: and 65 of a movable valve stem 66 mounted in a valve block 67, which is connect d to a source of fluid pressure by a conduit 63 and which communicates by a conduit (it) with a cylinder 70, Fig. 1 having a. movable plunger 71 for engaging a pawl 72, that is adapted to engage the teeth 01 the ratchet wheel 13. The pawl 72 is pivoted at 73 and is provided with an extension it that disposed between a pair of friction plates 75 to steady its moven'icnt and to keep in proper working; alignment.

Referring to Fig. 3 the valve stem 66 is provided with packing rings 76 and 77 and is father provided with an intern'iediary constricted portion 73. The fluid pressure member 67 is provided with orifices 79 and 30 leading respectively to a source of fluid pressure and to the plunger cylinder 70. The packing rings 76 and 77 are in spaced relation and s )5: ed apart to extend beyond the.

orifices 79 and 30 so that when they are in the position shown in Fig. 3 communication is established between the orifices thus establishing communication between the plunger conduit (39 and the conduit (38 leading to the pressure supply. When the packing ring 7'? is moved to take the position between the orifices 79 and 80, the latter is cut off from the fluid pressure and is opened to the atmo phcre.

The operation of the combined automatic and hand ratcheting mechanism is briei y as follows: In hand o ieration tor ratcheting the vork to adjust its position relative to the punches 9 the operator unlatches the hand lever 23 pulling it towards himself and effecting acorresponding movement of the rod 21 in the same direction. The link 13 and lever 19 will swng with the movement oi the rod 21 with which they are connected causing pawl 15 to leave stop pin 1? and en gage ratchet wheel 13. The swing arm 11 is neld trictionally by the spring 29, Fig. 2, associated with the link 20. As the pawl cannot swing freely any more because of its engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 13, any further movement otthe hand lever 23 will cause ratchet wheel 13 and swing arm 11 to swing together overcoming; friction ol spring 29. Thii-rmovement is limited by the bolt 26 engag; ng the end 01" the slot 27 in link 20.

The retaining pawl 72 during this operation will slip over the teeth in the ratchet wheel 13 and fall in to stop the ratchet wheel from retreating at the end of the stroke. At this point hand lever 23 is returned to its original position for a new stroke it necessary. lVhen the ratchet wheel 13 and inciinn both handand automatic operation of theratcheting mechanism. For automatic operation the crank is continuously revolving causing the rocker 'fame S8 to oscillate about its pivot 42 and produce a corresponding movement of the finger 49 which is keyed to trunnion 42 between the prongs 6t and 65 of the valve stem 66. In the path of movement of the rocker frame 38 the finger 49 will assume the position .shown in Fig.- 3 to move the packing rings 76 and 77 to establish communication between the orifices 79 and 80 thereby establishing pressure in the pipe line 69 communicating with the retaining pawl plunger 71 to engage the pawl 72 with the ratchet wheel 13. This retaining pawl actuating position of the finger 4:9

is established at the end of the stroke of the ratchet pawl 31 when the material to be punched has been adjusted to its new position and during the'punching stroke of the machine the finger 49 is moved in the opposite direction to shift the valve stem 66 to establish communication of the pipe line 69 with the atmosphere thereby releasing the pawl retaining plunger 71 at the instant the ratcheting pawl 31 becomes operative. This cycle of operation continues during the automatic operation of the ratcheting mechanism.

hen the punch is stopped, the-valve stem (36 may be in the position where no pressure is on the plunger 71 to make the retaining pawl 72 operative for hand ratcheting. To provide for this condition the finger 50 constitutiiig a part of the bell crank is actuated by the linkage 57, 59;:1X1Cl 61 through the movement of the swing arm 11 in the iniv prising a work carrier adapted to advance tialstroke of the hand lever 23 to move the valve stem 66 to the position shown in Fig.

is established in the plunger cylinder 70 forcing the retaining pawl 72 into engagement with the ratchet wheel 13. The pressure is maintained against the pawl 7 2 until the motion of thepunch, when started, converts this system to automatic control.

The operation of the feed ratchet by the machine driven crank t0 and manually op-- eratedhand lever 23 are independent of each other and the actuation of the stop pawl 72 to hold the ratchet wheel 13 in its advanced position is independently effected by the manual or automatically operated ratcheting mechanism so as to readily permit the 0 which is the position in which pressure 7 operation of the feed mechanism in either manner.

It is evident from the foregoing descrip tion of this invention "that a feed mechanism embodying the principles therein set forth is particularlyapplicable to the feeding of sheet metal into automatically fed punch presses for the purpose as herein set forth, and that the device is positive and accurate in its function of securing proper spacing of the work with respect to the punch dies and to take up lost motion in the movable parts of the feeding mechanism.

Although several embodiments of this in vention have been described, it will appear obvious to those skilled in the art that various inodil'ications'niay be made in thedetails of construction and in the arrangement of the several cooperating parts without de-' parting from the principles herein set forth.

lVe claim:

1. In a punch press a feed mechanism comprising a work carrier adapted to advance the work in the path of the punch, actuating means for the carrier comprising a feed shaft operatively connected to said carrier, a ratchet mechanism carried by'said shaft and adapted to intermittently rotate the same, means 'for automatically operating said ratchet mechanism, and manually operative means for said ratchet mechanism to advance the work carrier to a predetermined starting 7 point.

2. In a .punch press a feed mechanism comprising a work carrier adapted to advance the workin the path of. the punch,

' actuating means comprising a'feed shaft operatively connected to said carrier, a ratchet mechanism carried by said shaft and adapted to intermittently rotate the same, a swing frame mounted on said mechanism, a ratchet-' ing pawl carried by said frame, a link held in frictional engagen'ient by said frame and a hand lever secured to said link forswinging s'aidfraine'to effect engagement of said pawl with the ratchet mechanism and to advance said feed shaft.

3. In apunch press a feed mechanism comthe work in the path of the punch, actuating ineans' comprising a feed shaft operatively connected to said carrier, a. ratchet mechanism carried by said shaft and adapted to intermittently rotate the same, a swing frame mounted on said mechanism, a ratchetngpawl carried by said frame, a' link held comprising a work carrier adapted to advance the material or work in the path of the punch, means for automatically and manually actuating said carrier, and means for locking out of operative position said manually actuating means.

5. In a punch press a feed mechanism con'i n'ising a work carrier adapted to advance the material or work in the path of the punch, means comprising a ratcheting mechanism for actuating said carrier, means for automatically operating said mechanism, and means tor manually operating the same, said automatic and manual operating means being independent of each other.

6. In a punch press a feed mechanism comprising a work carrier adapted to advance the material or work in tee path of the punch, means comprising a ratcheting mech anism for actuating said carrier, means for automatically operating said mechanism,

means for manually operating the same, and

means for rendering said last named means inoperative during the operation of said automatic means.

'1'. in a punch press a teed mechanisn'i comprising a: work carrier adapted to advance the work in the path of the punch, a feed shatt :tor actuating said carrier, a ratchet wheel mounted on 'aid shatt, a pawl operative to automatically engage and rotate said wheel, a retaining pawl for engaging said wheel, means for holding said retaining pawl in engagon'iont with said wheel, and means associated with said first named pawl to render sa'id holding means operative.

S. in a punch press a teed mechanism comprising a work carrier adapted to advance the work in the path of the punch, a teed shaft for actuating said carrier, a'. ratchet wheel mounted on said shaft, a pawl operative to auton'iatically engage and rotate said wheel, a retaining pawl for engaging laid wheel, a fluid pressure system for holdna; said retaining pawl in engagement with said wheel. and means operative through said first named pawl to regulate said pressure system during the operation of said ratchet wheel.

9. in a punch press a feed mechanism comrising a work carrier adapted to advance 1e work in the path of the punch, a feed natt tor actuating said carrier, a ratchet "lied. mounted on said shait't, a pawl opera- "ive to automatically engage and rotate said wheel, a second pair] adapted to engage and rotate said wheel, a manually operative mechanism tor operating said lastnamed pawl, a retaining pawl for engaging said wheel to lock the same in its-advanced position, means for holding said retaining pawl in engagement with said wheel, and means for locking said manually operative mechanism during the automatic operation of said first named pawl.

10. In a punch press a feed mechanism comprising a, work carrier aijlapted to ad- Vance the work in the path of the punch, a feed shaft for actuating said carrier, a ratchet wheel mounted on said shaft, a pawl operative to automatically engage and retate said wheel, a second pawl adapted to engage and rotate said wheel, a manually operative mechanism for operating said last named pawl, a retaining pawl for engaging said wheel to lock the same in its advanced position, fluid pressure n'ieans for holding said retaining pawl in engagement with said wheel during the manual operation of the ratcheting mechanism, and means for intcrn'iittently engaging and disengaging said retaining pawl with said wheel during the automatic operation of said mechanism.

ll. In a punch press a feed mechanism comprising a work carrier adapted to advance the work in the path of the punch, a lced shaft for actuating said carrier, a ratchet wheel mounted on said shaft, a pawl operative to automatically engage and retate said wheel, a second pawl adapted to engage and rotate said wheel, a manually operative n echanisni for operating said last named pawl, aretaining pawl. for engaging said wheel to lock the same in its advanced position, tluid pressure means for holding said re'tainin pawl in engagement with said wheel during the manual operation of the ratcheting mechanism, and means for re leasing said fluid pressure when the automatically operative pawlv is rendered operative.

12. in a metal working machine a feed mechanism comprising a work carrier adapted to advance the work in the path of the machine, actuating means for said carrier comprising a feed shatt operatively conn cted to said carrier, a ratchet mechanism securely mounted on said'shatt and adapted to intermittently rotate the same, means antomatically operative through the drive mechanism of the machine to actuate said ratchet mechanism, and independent means for manually actuating said ratchet mechanism.

18. in a metal working machine a feed mechanism comprising a work carrier adapted to advance the work in the path of the machine, actuating means for said carrier comprising a feed sha'tt operutively con nected to said carrier, a ratchet mechanism securely mounted on said shaft and adapted to intermittently rotate the same, means automatically operative tl'irough the drive n'iechanism ot the machine to actuate said ratchet mechanism, and means for manually actuating said ratchet mechanism while said automatic means is rendered inoperative.

14. In a metal working machine a feed mechanism comprising a work carrier adapted to advance the work in the path of the machine, actuating means for said carrier comprising a :teed shalt operatively nected to said carrier, a ratchet mechanism securely mounted on said shaftand adapted to intermittently rotate the same, means automatically operative throughthe drive mechanism of themachine to actuate said ratchet mechanism, means for manually actuating said ratchet mechanism while said automatic means is rendered inoperative, and means for holding said feed shaft in its advanced position during the intermittent.

operation of said ratchet mechanism.

- 15. In a metal working machine a feed mechanism comprising a work carrier adapted to advance the work in the path of the. machine, actuating means for said carrier comprising a feed shaft operatively con nected to said carrier, a ratchet mechanism securely mounted on said shaft and adapted to intermittently rotate the same, means automatically operative through the drive mechanism of the machine to actuate said ratchet mechanism, means for manually actuating said ratchet mechanism while said automatic means is rendered inoperative, and means for holding said feed shaft in its advanced position during the intermittent operation of said ratchet mechanism, said last named means being operatively connected to the said automatic and manual actuating means.

16. In a metal working machine a feed mechanism comprising a work carrier adapted to advance the work in the path of the machine, actuating means for said carrier comprising a feed shaft operatively connected to said carrier, a ratchet mechanism securely mounted on said shaft and adapted to intermittently rotate the same, means automatically operative through the drive mechanism of the machine to actuate said ratchet mechanism, means for manually actuating said ratchet mechanism while said automatic means is rendered inoperative, and a fluid pressure actuated device holding said feed shaft in its advanced position during the intermittent operation of said ratchet mechanism, said fluid pressure actuated device being operatively connected to the said automatic and manual actuating means.

17. In a metal working machine a feed mechanism comprising a work carrier adapted to advance the work in the path of the machine and actuating means for said carrier comprising a feed shaft operatively connected to said carrier, a ratchet wheel securely mounted on said shaft and adapted to intermittently rotate the same, an arm mounted for angular movement on the hub of said wheel, a ratcheting pawl pivotally mounted on said arm adjacent said wheel for engagement therewith, a mechanical linkage for operating said pawl and for effecting angular movement of said arm, a hand lever connected to said linkage, a second pawl mounted independently of said arm,

' hold the latter in the position to which it is advanced by said ratcheting pawl.

18. In a metal working machinea feed mechanism comprising a workcarrier adapted to advance the work in the path of the machine and actuatingmeans for said carrier comprising a feed shaft operatively connected to said carrier, a ratchet wheel securely mounted on said shaftand adapted to-intermittently rotate the same, an arm mounted for angular movement on: the hub of said wheel, a ratcheting pawl pivotally mounted on said arm adjacent said wheel for engagement therewith, a mechanical linkage for operating said pawl and for effecting angular movement of said arm, a hand lever connected to said linkage, a second pawl mounted independently of said arm, and a fluid pressure actuated device operative through the movement of said arm to effect engagement of said last mentioned pawl with the ratchet wheel to hold the latter in the position to which it is advanced by said ratcheting pawl said fluid pressure device comprising a plunger adapted for engagement with said holding pawl, a slide valve communicating with a source of fluid pressure and the atmosphere, and a mechanical linkage connecting said valve and the movable arm of said ratchet pawl to connect said plunger with the source of pressure.

19. A feed mechanism for metal working machines comprising a carrier for feeding work to be acted upon in the path of the machine, a feed shaft geared to said carrier and a ratcheting mechanism for automatically or manually rotating said shaft to ad Vance said carrier, said ratcheting mechanism comprising a ratchet wheel mounted to rotate with said feed shaft, a pair of lever arms loosely mounted on the hubs of said wheel, a pawl mounted on each of said arms, and a stop pawl mounted independently of said arms, said pawls being adapted to engage the teeth of said wheel, means for automatically actuating one of said lever arms to rotate said feed shaft, and means for manually actuating the other of said arms to rotate said shaft, said last named means being independent of said automatic means. i

20. A feed mechanism for metal working machines comprising a carrier for feeding work to be acted upon in the path of the machine, a feed shaft geared to said car rier and a ratcheting mechanism for automatically or manually rotating said shaft to advance said carrier, said ratcheting mechanism comprising a ratchet wheel mounted to rotate with said feed shaft, 21 pair of lever arms loosely mounted on the iii) hubs of said wheel, a pawl mounted on each of said arms, and a stop pawl mounted independently of said arms, said pawls being adapted to engage the teeth or" said wheel, means for automatically actuating one of said lever arms to rotate said i'eed shaft,

means for manually actuating the other of said arms to rotate said shaft, and independent means operative through both of said arm actuating means for eli'ecting engagement of said stop pawl with said ratchet wheel.

21. A feed mechanism for metalworking machines comprising a carrier for feeding work to be acted upon in the path of the machine, a feed slialt geared to said carrier and a ratcheting mechanism for automatically or manually rotating said shaft to advance said carrier, said ratcheting mechanism comprising a ratchet wheel mounted to rotate with said :feed shaft, a pair of lever arms loosely mounted on the hubs of said wheel, a pawl mounted on each of said arms,

and a retaining pawl for said wheel, saidpawls being adapted to engage the teeth 01 said wheel, a crank actuated rocker arm for actuating one of said lever arms, means associated with said frame tor actuating said .stop pawl, a manually operative likage for LABS H. VOLD. KARL R. HAMMERSTROM. 

